Overhead toolbox



P- SCH DT OVERHEAD TOOLBOX Filed may 5, 958

IN VE R. 8404 SCHMIDT United States Patent OVERHEAD TOOLBOX Paul Schmidt, Cleveland, Ohio Application May 5, 1958, Serial No. 733,198

2 Claims. (Cl. 312-253) This invention relates to a toolbox of a type which is adapted to be mounted for use on a workbench. More particularly, the toolbox is in the nature of a cabinet structure together with supporting elements, which may be arranged to provide a storage space for tools in an elevated or overhead position with respect to the surface of a workbench or table.

Prior to this invention it has been the practice of toolmakers, mechanics and other artisans to place their toolboxes directly on the surface of the workbench thereby severely restricting the available work space on a given bench or table.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a toolbox having a cabinet portion supported by a mounting means at an elevation above the top surface of a workbench or the like to leave substantially the entire area of the surface unobstructed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a toolbox having such a cabinet portion and a supporting means therefor and which can be readily installed on existing Workbenches to thereby effect a substantial increase in the availability of working space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toolbox assembly which comprises a plurality of drawers and spaces for tools and other items, and a swingable cover therefor which may be locked in a position covering the drawers.

Still another object is to provide a toolbox comprising a cabinet portion and a supporting structure and which can be sturdily and economically constructed from readily available materials.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a toolbox constructed in accordance with this invention and installed on a worka bench;

Fig. 2 is a partial end view of the tool box of Fig. 1 showing the same on a larger scale and with portions thereof broken away to reveal structural details; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the mounting means or support structure of the toolbox and showing the horizontal frame member and the associated ends of the upright brackets.

The novel toolbox 10 of this invention comprises, in general, a cabinet structure or portion C and a mounting means D for supporting the cabinet structure in an elevated or overhead relation to the top or table portion T of a workbench or the like W so as to leave the work area A of the top T unobstructed.

The cabinet portion C comprises a box-like structure having outer walls and provided with a plurality of drawers 11 of varying sizes for receiving tools. There is also provided a compartment or pigeon-hole 12 which is of a size to receive time cards, work reports, or the like. As may best be seen in Fig. 2, the drawers 11 are separated from one another by spacing elements 13 upon which the drawers may slide.

plane of the edges 15, 16 of the cabinet walls.

The cabinet stucture C also comprises a swingable front cover 17 which may be locked in a position overlying the fronts of the drawers 11. The cover 17 is shown in Fig. 2 in solid lines in its open position, that is, folded back so as to overlie the top wall 18 of the cabinet structure, and is shown in Fig. 3 in broken lines in its closed position overlying the drawers 11.

A plurality of suitable hinges 19 serve to swingably connect the cover 17 to an edge bar or strip 20 which is j fastened in any suitable way to the top wall 18 of the cabinet structure C. The hinges 19 are conveniently of the type having two pivot pins, as indicated at 21, 22 in Fig. 2, to permit the cover 17 to assume its two extreme positions. Fastening means such as the screws shown at 23 are used to secure the hinges in place. The cover 17 position.

Turning now to a description of the cabinet mount or supporting structure D, it can be seen from Fig. 1 that the mount comprises two upright end brackets 25 and 26 and a horizontal frame 32 extending between the upper portions of the end brackets. The mount D preferably I also comprises an upright center bracket 27. The brackets 25, 26 and 27 are attached at their lower ends to the workbench W, preferably by being secured to edges of the top T as by means of suitable screws or the like, some of which are indicated by the numerals 3t), 31. At their 1 upper ends, the upright brackets 25, 26, 27 are suitably connected to the horizontal frame means 32.

The horizontal frame means 32 is preferably formed principally from lengths of T-shaped metal bar stock.

The T-shaped stock is formed into three sides 33, 34 and 35 of the frame 32 as can best be seen in the plan View of Fig. 3. The three sides are joined at mitered corners preferably by welding as indicated at 37 and 38. This arrangement provides the three sides 33, 34, 35 with inwardly directed flanges 39, 40 and 41 extending from the vertical webs of the T stock. The fourth or front side of the frame 32 is formed by a flat metal bar 36 which is 1 welded at the ends thereof to flanges 40, 41 as indicated The frame 32 is of substantially the same plan size and shape as the cabinet structure C so that, as can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the cabinet structure may be seated on and supported by the flanges 39, 4t) and 41 and be held from lateral displacement by the vertical webs of i the T-shaped stock. The flanges 39, 4%, 41 are provided with holes such as at 44 which allow for the cabinet portion C securely to the frame 32 as by suitable screws or the like.

The upright end brackets 25 and 26 preferably have the inner edges of their upper ends relieved so as to form shoulders 45, 46. The shoulders carry the vertical webs of the respective ends of the frame 32. Bolts or machine screws 47 serve to connect the frame 32 securely to the upright end brackets.

The particular shape of the end brackets 25, 26 may be varied, but the A-shape illustrated is a preferred form as it offers strength while presenting a minimum of obstruction at the edges of the work area A.

The center bracket 27 is of a cantilever shape extending upwardly and forwardly to a point 43 just beneath the frame 32, at which point it is bent to extend adjacent flange 39 to which it is secured by a weld 49. From the weld 49 portion "50 ofbracket 27 crosses horizontally to join'frame element"36 where the two are unitedby'welding as at 51.

Locatedat the center of the front frame element 36 is ,a pad eyeior staple '52. This staple Sled-operates with the above-mentioned 'hasp 24.located on'the cover '17. "With the cover intheclosed position the staple "52 will extend through the slot 'in hasp '24, and 'a padlock 53 passed through the stapleSZ will prevent unauthorized access to the drawers T1.

The vwalls comprising the box portion of the cabinet structure C mayibe'made of sheet metal, wood, or other :suitable material, as may the cover 717 .and.drawers 711. "The materials .used arepreferablydictated'by the use and the desirability of tmatching the materials and 'finish to those of the'bench'W to which the;inventioniis applied.

The toolbox 10 can be converiientlyreferred to as an :overhead .toolboxlbecauseo'f the relatively'elevated positioniof.thecabinet structure C above the work area A of the bench'W with whichtit=is associated. Theuse ofthe vAt-shaped brackets in themount .D permits the cabinet structure C to be conveniently located above the rear portion of the .bench top'T. so.as,not to obstructthe space .above the front ,portion "of :such itop. T he horizontal frame 32 of the mount Bend the rcabinetstructure C are preferably'of .thesamelength asthe workbench, whichis ,usually five feet for.a. standard-size workbench, "but. as indicated above are of a shorter front-to-back depth-than .the top T. The intermediate .bracket 27 vis ,a .desirable partioftthe mountDifor toolboxes for .useon. suchstand- .lardelength Workbenches butcan be .omitted ,from toolboxes iintendedrfonuse on shorter .workbenches.

lFromrthe accompanying drawing and the, foregoing de .tailed ,descriptionit willibeunderstood.that this invention ,provides an improved toolbox which, by .reason ,of ,its .unique construction ofiers theadvantage of alfordingvan increase in workspace on-the-bench top while stillhaving a toolbox at vthe zirnmediateilocationpf the workbench. further, ,it can:he readily seen .thatatoolbox with ade quate provision for security and :due consideration 'for ,neatness of appearance has been ,achieved. The subject .toolboxcan vbe supplied as original equipmentron ,new workbenchessor-made to fit existing .:benches to,effect'an increase in-available space.

It .will ,now also -.be.recognized 'from the drawing and :foregoing: description-that the cabinet structure C provides .a toolbox of the kindaused-by tool -.and.die-imakers-to keep .their-.tools,usually checking andzrneasuringttools and instruments, andis supported by the-end and .intermediate zuprightrbrackets25, .26 and 27 in. a;position so thatzit extends above, and iforisubstantially the full length .Of, the table portion T of the workbench W. Therdrawing also showsthat .thesupportbrackets locate the toolbox at an intermediate point between thefront andrrear vedges-of the table top I so that the substantial weight represented by the toolbox and its contents will notbe concentrated at and above the rear edge of the'table top where it would cause the bench to be-unstable and subject to being tipped over. When the tool box is-substantially coextensive in *length with the table top T, as shown in the drawing 'its drawers can be arranged in the side-by-sidetiers-shown, so

4 that even though the bottom of the tool box unit is supported'at'a *height 'abovethetable' toptoprovide a'satis factory work space therebetween, the drawers will all still be at no more than a conveniently accessible height for putting in or taking out tools.

Although the improved toolbox and mount of the invention has been illustrated and described herein to a somewhat detailed extent, it.will2be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be regarded as being limited correspondingly in scope, but includes all changes and modifications .coming Within the terms ;of the claims hereof.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A tool and die.makerstoolbox'for use on a workbench having a quadrangular top providing a work area, comprising a cabinet structure of a quadrangular shape of a length approximately equal to the length of said top butof a narrower width than said top, drawers insaid structure disposed in side by-side tiers and adapted to contain tool and die makers tools,.upright end andlinterrnediatefbracket members connected to end and side edge portions of'said top and extending'thereabove, an'dhorizontally disposed quadrangular frame means mounted on said bracket members, said frame .means'being of sub- .stantiallythe same plan size as said structure and having .the latter supported thereomsaid end bracket members being A-shapcd and having relatively wide lower .ends secured to the end edge portions of-said top and relatively narrow upper ends secured to the ends ofsaid {frame means, said end bracket membershavingopenings therein adapted to accommodate .tool and workpiece ,portions which overhang edgeportions ,of said top, tsaidjintermediate'bracket member being of cantilever shapeand having a"lower securing portionattached .to themearside edgeportion ofsaid top and a forwardly extending upper portion secured to..an.intermediate portionof saidframe means, said .structure'being located and supportedbysaid bracket members at,an elevation. spaeedabove said work area and also.spacedinwardlyfrom the front andrear :side edges of said .top.

.2. A .toolhox as defined inlclaim 1 and .Whereinsaid frame means comprisesend and rear .bars extending along end .andrear .edges thereof, said bars being of a.flanged shape and having horizontally disposed flanges engaged by the bottom of said structure and-vertical flanges in an overlapping and locating ,relation'to side .walls of said structure.

References Cited in the-file of .thispatent UNIT ED "STATES PATENTS 403,129 Ripley May :14, 1889 {1,008,813 Gloekler Nov. '14, 1911 .-1,645,4'ZO lAlheit. =.Oct. i111, 1927 1,744,081 Reid Ian. 21, 1930 1,984,345 .Kennedy Dec. '11, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS 482;856 Canada Apr. "29, 1952 573,898 France Mar. 20, 1924 21,133,136 'France 'Nov. 12, 1956 

